Account-register.



S. M. RATNER.

ACCOUNT REGISTER. APPLICATION FILED 1AN.B,191s.

Patented Feb. 20, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

GUM-nus S. M. RATNER.

ACCOUNT REGISTER.

APPLICATION FILED nuns, 1916.

1,216,731. Patented Feb.20,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

3 uwto'c SAMUEL M. RA'I'NER, OF KANSAS CITY, MISfSOUBI.

ACCOUNT-REGISTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 20, 1917.

Application filed January 8, 1916. Serial No. 71,104.

To (ZZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL M. RATNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Account Registers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for the keeping of accounts and for conveniently storing and indexing the same and my ob ject is to produce a device of the character mentioned which is extensible to accommodate an expanding business and adjustable as to height to accommodate account slips of different lengths.

A further object is to produce a device of the character mentioned which may be lengthened or shortened regardless of its depth at the time and which may be varied in depth regardless of its length at the time.

Another object is to produce what may be termed a roll top cover which automatically folds into small compass when not in use, that is when in opened position.

Another object is to produce an index of small and compact size which accommodates the listing of four times as many names as can be conveniently written within a predetermined space.

lVith the objects named in view, and others as hereinafter appear, the invention consists in certain novel and peculiar features .of construction and combinations of parts as hereinafter described and claimed; and in order that it may be fully understood reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1, is a perspective view of the device, the same being shown as expanded both vertically and longitudinally.

Fig. 2, is an enlarged vertical transverse section taken just inside or rearward of the front end bar of the index frame, said figure however showing the register adjusted to accommodate shorter index cards than Fig. 3, the cards being omitted to disclose the -follower plate otherwise hidden in said figure.

Fig. 8, is a top plan view of the device with all of its parts in an operative position. Fig. 4. is a central longitudinal section of the register adjusted, as in Fig. 3, to accommodate index cards of maximum depth or height.

Fig. 5, is a fragmentary perspective view of a part of the roll top.

F 6, is a fragmentary perspective view of part of the index.

In the said drawings, 1 indicates a box member comprising a bottom, side walls, and a back wall and dividing the box into a narrow rear chamber 3 and a large front chamber a is a transverse partition 2, the ends of the partition not quite reaching the side walls of the box in order to provide for the reception between the-partition and said side walls, of the side walls of another member of the box, hereinafter described.

5 are parallel horizontal telescopic rods extending longitudinally through chamber 4: and supported at their rear ends by attachment in any suitable manner to parti tion 6 is a bail or handle attached to the outer side of the back wall. Above the plane of telescopic rods 5, a bracket 7 is secured to the partition 2 and mounted on a pivot rod 8 carried by said bracket is a catch 9 provided with a locking tooth 1O normally projecting through the said partition and through another partition hereinafter mentioned, and 12 is a spring tending to hold the catch in operative position. The front ends of the side walls are doubled back inwardly to provide vertical grooves 13 (see Fig. 1) for a purpose which hereinafter appears.

14 indicates a box member comprising a front wall, bottom and side walls and said member fits snugly and slidingly within box member 1 for movement longitudinally thereof for the purpose of providing for longitudinal extensibility of the device. As this device is adapted to be made of hard steel or other material proof against access or injury by ordinary tools and when charged with a metal card index as contemplated, it will be heavy, it is of reduced width at its bottom so as to provide longitudinal recesses 15 for the accommodation of wheels 16 mounted in keepers 17 secured to the sides of the reduced portion, these wheels when the device is of minimum length resting upon the bottom of member 1. lVhen the device is extended the front wheels roll off the bottom and travel upon the counter, table or other support upon which the device rests.

18 is a pair of longitudinal rods which telescopically engage rods 5, the telescopic rods being adapted to serve as guides and retainers for certain devices hereinafter re ferred to. 19 is a bracket secured to the front wall of box member 14 and mounted upon a transverse pivot rod 20 carried by said bracket is a catch 21 provided with a tooth 22 engaging an opening 23 in the said front wall and adapted for engagement i *ith another opening hereinafter referred to, and 24 is a spring mounted upon the pivot rod and tendin to hold the catch in operative position. ne of the side walls of the box member 14 is provided with notches or recesses 25 in its upper edge for the accommodation of certain parts hereinafter referred to when the device is reduced to minimum height or depth. 26 is a pair of horizontal bars extending longitudinally'of box member 14k and. secured to the side walls at the inue sides thereof and secured to said bars are corrugated strips 27 for providing longitudinal series of vertical openings 28 for a purpose which hereinafter appears.

29 is an adjustable transverse partition or follower plate provided with openings 30 receiving the telescopic rods so as to be capable of sliding thereon and to guard against the possibility of cramping on said rods and rendering difficult the adjustment, the follower plate is provided with arms 31 which extend downward and rearward and which also fit loosely on the telescopic rods.

32 is a clamp plate provided with side marginal recesses 33 to receive the telescopic rods and with a forwardly extending handle portion equipped with transverse rod 35 provided at its ends with depending arms 36 for extending downwardly in opposite openings 28 to hold the follower plate at the desired point of adjustment.

37 are index cards preferably of aluminum. Said cards are adapted to stand within the device between the follower plate 20 and clamp plate 32 andv with notches .18 in their side edges receiving the telescopic rods so that if the device he inverted the cards will be retained in position by the rods, the cards being also slidable on the rods without danger of displacement, though if the follower and clamp plates are spaced apart a sufficient distance, the index cards can be grasped and turned pivotally until disengaged from the telescopic rods after which they can be lifted out of the box. The reverse of this operation permits their replacement in the box. The cards are adapted to be provided with indexed or suitably marked tabs to enable a clerk or other authorized person to instantly locate the card in front of which one or more slips may be placed or referred to if already in place.

In some retail stores where large accounts are carried, the clerk enters the name of the 34 at its upper end. It is also they are provided purchaser and the amount of the purchase on duplicate slips and gives one to the purchaser and stores the other. In some establishments which do not carry large accounts, the clerk simply writes the name and amount upon the slip and stores the same. This device is adapted to accommodate the carrying of such accounts. In some cases the clerx is supposed in making out account slips to add to the same, the amount of the accounts to date, so that the slips of latest date shall show the total accounts, and it is of frequent occurrence that where there are a number of slips containing the account of a particular customer, the foremost one will when the index cards ahead of it are swung forward to give access to the account, adhere to the preceding index card and thus expose a slip upon which the total account is not shown. To guard against mistakes due to the cause mentioned, the index cards are provided with a. set of opposite notches 39 to receive. the bent back ends of light springs 10 which extend transversely across the cards and automatically bow outwardly at the rear sides there of when the cards are not held clamped together. By this arrrangement it will be seen that when an index card is swung forward to give access to the card back of it, the spring of the index card will instantly bow outward as its forward movement is started and thus exert backward pressure against the account slips behind it so that they shall remain leaning against the next index card to the rear. Neither the manner in which the accounts are kept nor the special data on the index cards forms a part of this invention.

For varying the depth of the member 1 of the box, I provide a member, consisting of side walls 4-1 and a back wall 12, said member fitting snugly in member 1 with the front edges of the side walls engaging the grooves 13 of member 1, and fitting in the space provided between the side walls of member 1 and the ends of partition 2. The back wall 4E2 terminates in an upwardly and forwardly extending curved portion 43, and underlying the upper margin of the curved portion 13 is a vertlcal transverse partition 4:4 which divides the upper or sliding member into a small rear chamber 16 and a large front chamber d7, the said partition fitting slidingly against the rear side of partition 2 of the box or base member 1, as shown clearly in Fig. 1, the rear chamber 46 thus forming a continuation of the chamber 3 and the front chamber a part of the large chamber 4.. To facilitate the operation of the roll top or cover hereinbefore mentioned, the upper end of partition 44 is curved inwardly and forwardly as explained and as shown at L5 in Fig. 41, and the side walls 11 are bent inwardly and outwardly to form longitudinal ribs 48 in the plane of the upper edge of the curved portion 115 of the partition ll, then upvz rdly to the plane of the upper edge of the curved portion 43 and then inwardly so as to provide in conjunction with rib 48 longitudinally inwardly-opening grooves t9, the inner margins of the upper portions of the grooves being provided with depending flanges 50.

Fitting slidingly and snugly upon the sliding lower member 14 of the box, is a vertically adjustable member, comprising a front wall 51 fitting against the front side of member 14, and side walls 52 fitting against the side walls of member 14, the walls 52 being bent inwardly and forwardly at their rear ends to provide vertical grooves 53 receiving the rear vertical edges of the side walls of member 14 where the member 14- is not reduced in width.

The side walls 52 are formed above their upper edges with channeled or grooved ribs st fitting telescopically in the grooves 49 of side walls 41, and between the upper edges of the side walls 52 and the ribs 54 are formed outwardly opening grooves 55 receiving the ribs 48 of said side walls 4-1. Secured to the front wall 51 is a bail 56 which in conjunction with bail 6 forms a handle by which the device can be conveniently lifted and also a handle by which a pull can be applied to increase the length of the device, it being understood that through the engagement of the turned back grooved portions of walls, an outward pull on bail 56 will impart corresponding movement to the lower sliding member 14: and that pressure applied on wall 51 will of course impart reverse movement thereto and to the member 14. It will also be seen that when an upward pull is applied on the device the upper members will slide vertically upward on the lower members due to the engagement of the ribs 54 with grooves 49 and the ribs 48 with grooves 55. The tooth of the catch 9 is adapted to be automatically projected through the partition l4 as well as through partition 2 hereinbefore mentioned, to support the rear end of the upper rear member in elevated position, and the front wall 51 of the front upper member is provided with an opening 57 to register with opening 23 of the front wall of the lower front member. It will thus be seen that when the upper members are raised, the teeth of the catches 9 and 21 automatically snap through the partition l t and the front wall of the upper member and thus lock the upper members in their elevated positions, it being likewise understood that when said upper members are in lowered position, the teeth of said catches bear against i1n1i erforate portions of said partition er and the front wall of the upper front member.

58 is a staple projecting from the end plate 51 for engagement by a hasp forming a part of a metal roll top cover 59 constructed as follows: 60 is aseries of transversely extending metal plates provided with tongues (31. The plates are arranged in parallel relation so that the tongues of alternate plates overlie the interposed plates and the tongues of the latter underlie the first-named plates. To hold the plates in this relation they are hinged together, each plate having hinge openings 62 at opposite ends engaged by hinge loops 63 011 the plates, the connection being such that the plates shall have suflicient pivotal movement to extend in a straight or curved line or to fold fanlike upon each other as shown in Fig. 4, in which figure the roll top is partly extended.

The rearmost or bottom plate 60 is provided at its ends with hooks (Sladapted to prevent the cover from being accidentally drawn out too far, when the device is to be closed, by catching on the rear edges of ribs 48, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 4.

The foremost of the plates is not provided with a tongue .61 but is juxtaposed to an angle plate provided with hinge loops 66 engaging the openings (32, of the said foremost plate and said plate is provided with. an upstanding flange 67 and with an opening 68. The plate (55 with its flange 67 constitutes an angle plate as shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and l, the flange 67 constituting a handle portion for the convenient manipulation of the roll top or cover and also serving as a stop in the closing movement of the cover by coming in contact with the front edge of the curved portion 4 3 of the vertically adjustable member mounted upon member 1. hen the cover is drawn forward its full distance, the angle plate is adapted to drop down to a pendent position against the front wall 51 and the opening 68 receives the staple 58 so that a padlock not shown, can be fitted through the staple to lock the cover in its closed position.

69 are bearing plates secured to the inner side of one of the walls 52 vertically above the openings 25 so that when the device is reduced to its minimum height said bearing plates are received by said openings 25 as will be readily understood by reference to Fig. l, and pivoted to said bearing plates 69 are swing arms 70 which normally lie against the said wall 52 or against one side of one of the side walls of member 14, the index cards being spaced from the lastnamed wall as shown in Fig. 2, so as to accommodate the arms 70 when the device is of reduced height.

The swing arms 70 are adapted to be swung to a position transversely of the device, as indicated by one of them in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and when in this position will form a support for the index device when the same is inoperative, that is when stored within the account register.

The index device is constructed as follows:

71 is an oblong rectangular frame, provided at one side with hooks 72 adapted to fit over the upper edge of one of the side walls of the account register, as shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, and secured to the side of the frame 71 provided with the hooks T2 is a spring catch 73 for the purpose of holding in a horizontal position a smaller rectangular frame Tel arranged within frame 71 and provided with a longitudinal pivot rod 75 pivoted in the ends offrame 71 so that the inner frame can be rotated.

76 indicates two series of index plates the plates of each series being arranged in parallel relation and provided with overlapping portions or lugs 7?, and the endmost of said plates are provided centrally with projecting tongues 78 for a purpose which. hereinafter appears. The plates are provided with pivot rods 79 journaled in the sides of the rotatable frame 'T-l at the 0pposite edges of said. frame. At one end each series of pivot rods is journaled in openings or holes 80 and at their opposite ends in notches 81 and the ends fitting in the notches are held in place by angle strips 82 pivoted at one end to frame 74 and forked at their other ends to fit over the corresponding sides of the frames with more or less friction so that said pivoted retainer strips cannot accidentally swing and release the plates. 83 is a pair of slide clips mounted on each end of the rotatable frame of the pivoted rectangular frame 74:, and each pair of the clips on the same side of the axis of the frame, are provided with alined eyes 84-, connected by a longitudinal. rod 85, one of said rods being located in a plane above the upper or name-exposing series of index plates, and the other red below the other series of said plates, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. When the clips are slid inward to the position shown, the rods prevent rotation of the plates 7 6 on their respective axes.

Each series of plates is provided with identifying symbols such as consecutive numbers and upon said plates are the names of the customers arranged preferably in alphabetical order. The index cards will be correspondingly identified so that by noting that Mr. :abcocks name appears on plate numbered 6 0f the index, the clerk will known that card number 6 represents Mr. Babcocks account. As shown there are thirty plates 76 in each of said series and on the back or reverse of each of said. plates there will be found numbers from 31 to 60 inclusive. The other series of plates will be correspondingly numbered that is to say there will be numbers from 61 to and on the reverse side from 91 to 120 inclusive. If the name of a customer does not appear on the plates numbered from 1 to 3 l the clerk will place his finger under a lug '4 S and by pressing upwardly on the same and sliding-his finger over the plates toward the opposite end, reverse the position of the series of plates and thus expose their reverse sides. If the name does not appear on the reverse side of said plates, he will rotate the pivoted frame 74: so as to expose the second series of plates 76, and if the name does not appear on the exposed side of said plates, he will reverse said plates in the manner, above explained with; reference to the first series of plates. He can thus very quickly expose to view all four sides of the two series of plates and consequently locate the number of the account.

From the above description it will be apparent that I have produced. an account register which embodies the features of advauta enumerated as desirable in the statement of the object of the invention and which is expansible longitudinally to accommodate any desired number of cards and vertically to accommodate cards of different length or height, it being also apparent that the cover can be secured. in closed position quickly and easily regardless of the length or height of the device as said cover will be of length to accommodate the device when expanded to its fullest extent both longitudinally and vertically.

It will be apparent that the device is susceptible of modification in form, proportion, detail construction and arrangement and in other respects without departing from the spirit and scope or sacrificing any of the advantages of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An account register, comprising a casing consisting of a pair of longitudinally adjustable base members fitting one within the other, a pair of longitudinally adjustable upper members fitting one within the other, the upper members being vertically adjustable respectively on the lower members, and means for automatically securing the upper members at their upper limit of vertical adjustment.

2. An account register, comprising a casing consisting of a pair of longitudinally adjustable base members fitting one within the other, a pair of longitudinally adjustable upper members fitting one within the other, the upper members being vertically adjustable respectively of the lower members, and a pair of spring actuated catches within the easing and respectively adapted for automatically securing said. upper members at the upper limit of their adjustment.

3. An account register comprising a casing consisting of a base member embodying a bottom and side and rear walls, an upper llt member fitting snugly in and Vertically adjustable on said base member and comprising side and end walls and provided at the upper margins of its side walls with inwardly projecting ribsand inwardly opening grooves, a lower member fitting within the first-named members and longitudinally adjustable with respect thereto and comprising a bottom and side and front walls, an upper member vertically adjustable on and longitudinally movable with the lastnamed base member and also fittingsnugly within the first-named pair of members and provided at its upper side margins with outwardly opening grooves receiving the said inwardly projecting ribs, and ribs engaging said inwardly opening grooves.

4. An account register, comprising a casing consisting of a base member embodying a bottom and side and rear walls, an upper member fitting snugly in and vertically adj nstable on said base member and comprising side and end walls and provided at the upper margins of its side walls with inwardly projecting ribs and inwardly opening grooves, a lower member fitting within the first-named members and longitudinally adjustable with respect thereto and comprising a bottom and side and front walls, an upper member vertically adjustable on and longitudinally movable with the last-named base member and also fitting snugly within the first-named pair of members and provided at its upper side margins with outwardly opening grooves receiving the said inwardly projecting ribs, ribs engaging said inwardly opening grooves, said last-named ribs having grooves at their inner sides forming continuations of the grooves of the first-named vertically adjustable member, and a flexible cover or roll top for longitudinal adjustment in said grooves and continuations thereof.

An account register comprising a base member consisting of a bottom, back wall, and side walls provided with rearwardly facing grooves at their front ends; said base member having a. transverse partition to provide a small rear chamber and a large front chamber, an upper member vertically adjustable in the base member and provided with a transverse portion slidably engaging the partition of the base member and dividing the upper member into a small rear chamber forming an extension of the first named rear chamber and a large front chamber forming an extension of the first named front chamber, a base member longitudinally adjustable in the first named base member and the vertically adjustable member thereon, a vertically adjustable member longitudinally movable with the second base mem ber and fitting in the first-named base member and the member vertically adjustable thereon and interlocked as regards vertical movement with the first-named vertically adjustable member; said vertically adjustable members liaving opposite longitudinal grooves facing inwardly and communicating at their rear ends with the upper end of the rear chamber of the first-named vertically adjustable member, and a flexible cover or roll top engaging said opposite grooves and extending down through the rear chamber of said vertically adjustable member and into the corresponding chamber of the firstnamed base member and adapted when in retracted position to fold like a fan upon the bottom of said rear ehan'iber of the first named base member, said cover or roll top being adapted to unfold when it is drawn forwardly in said grooves.

6. An account register comprising a base member consisting of a bottom, back wall, and side walls provided with rearwardly facing grooves at their front ends; said base member having a transverse partition to provide a small rear chamber and a large front chamber, an upper member vertically a djustable in the base member and provided with a transverse portion slidably engaging the partition of the base member and dividing the upper member into a small rear chamber forming an extension of the first named rear chamber and a large front chamber forming an extension of the first-named front chamber, a base member longitudinally adjustable in the firstnamed base member and the vertically adjustable member thereon, a vertically adjustable member longitudinally movable with the second base member and fitting in the first-named base member and the member vertically adjust able thereon and interlocked as regards vertical movement with the first-named vertically adjustable member; said vertically adj ustable members having opposite longitudinal grooves facing inwardly and coininunicating at their rear ends with the upper end of the rear chamber of the first-named vertically adjustable member, a flexible cover or roll top engaging said opposite grooves and extending down through the rear chamber of said vertically adjustable member and into the corresponding chain-- ber of the first-named base member and adapted when in retracted position to fold like a fan upon the bottom of said rear chamber of the first-named base member, said cover or roll top being adapted to unfold when it is drawn forwardly in said grooves, said cover or roll top having an angular pivoted bent or handle portion tov engage the upper end of the rear wall of the first-named vertically adjustable member to limit the retracting movement of the cover or roll top, and means for securing said handle portion of the cover or roll top to the front end of the vertically adjustable member mounted on the second base member.

7. In an account register, a casing comprising members secured together for vertical adjustment and provided with communicating rear chambers, one of the members at its upper side edges having opposite inwardly-facing longitudinal grooves communicating at their rear ends With the rear chamber of said member, and a flexible foldnble roll top or cover for extending ti: 's

Copies of this patent ture, in the presence of two Witnesses.

SAMUEL M. RATNER.

Witnesses H. C. RODGERS, G. Y. THORPE.

may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

